Neuropeptides and Addiction: An Introduction

Neuropeptides are short sequences of amino acids that are coexpressed with neurotransmitters and which are widely expressed throughout the central nervous system. There is a large database of data pointing to critical roles for neuropeptides in modulating neurobiological responses to alcohol and drugs of abuse. Continued alcohol and drug use promote allostatic alterations in neuropeptide systems, and these changes contribute to excessive and uncontrolled intake that emerges with dependence. The neuropeptides that are reviewed in this chapter represent some of the most well-studied targets in the current drug and alcohol abuse literature. The goal of this chapter is to convey the significant roles that neuropeptides play in neurobiological responses to alcohol and drugs of abuse, and reinforce the idea that targeting neuropeptides and their receptors continue to be attractive avenues for treating drug and alcohol use disorders, as well as eating disorders.